Ebor Way: Hovingham to Sherriff Hutton

After an initial climb out of Hovingham it’s an undulating route through the shade of South Wood and then out across open hillside with excellent views back. The woodland is full of wildlife, especially where the path dips down to cross some boggy ground by springs at the foot of Hollin Hill. Beyond the charming village of Terrington, with its well-equipped stores, there are new and expansive views from the ridgetop southwards towards Sheriff Hutton. The landscape is already softening as the wooded hills are gradually left behind and the flatter open pastoral land takes over. For a large village there is plenty of interest at Sheriff Hutton, including the remains of a medieval castle, a fine church and two pubs – as well the village stocks for any miscreants.

Leave Hovingham on the Malton road and at the sharp bend turn right on to the road to York. Turn left up an unmade lane which in summer supports a mixture of wild flowers. This leads into South Wood and soon joins the Centenary Way, an 83-mile (134km) walk from York Minster to Filey Brigg opened in 1989 to celebrate the centenary of Yorkshire County Council. Bear left in the wood and follow the clearly waymarked route for 0.5 miles (800m) down to a gate.

Continue to a bridge, turn left through a gate and follow more waymarkers. Turn right to go past Howthorpe Farm and along its access road. Cross over the brow of a hill and then turn right down a path that at the bottom crosses a footbridge. Continue over the fields and gradually up to Terrington.

Bear right, then left round a high wall passing a sports ground with views back over the Howardian Hills. Turn left into the village, passing All Saints’ Church, whose herringbone stonework is typical of the Saxon period from which the church dates. Continue to the road junction where there is a village pump opposite. The attractive houses stand back from the road. In 1896 one lucky householder found a tin of 100 gold sovereigns while repairing his roof. Turn right, then left along Mowthorpe Lane, continuing past the cemetery to a gate on the right.

From the hilltop there is a distant view of the stark ruins of Sheriff Hutton Castle on the skyline. Cross the top of fields and a thicket, then turn right downhill on a semi-surfaced track past Primrose Farm. Cross the stream at a bridge and continue on the path, crossing two more bridges. Bear right, across a racehorse gallop, before turning right and later left on to a lane that leads to a road.

Turn right, then left on to a field route to Sheriff Hutton Church, which houses what is thought to be the tomb of Edward, son of Richard III. Before reaching the church, turn right through a yard and along the village street. Look out for a pair of stocks on the green near The Castle Inn and continue to the end of the road. Down the entrance to Castle Farm there is a path that turns right along the side of a ruined medieval castle. In 1471 the castle was owned by Richard of Gloucester, later Richard III, who had married Warwick’s daughter, Ann. It was politically important, with Edward, Earl of Warwick and Elizabeth of York, niece of Richard III and later Queen of Henry VII, both staying here in safe keeping from the Lancastrians. It was also important during the reign of Henry VIII, who sent his illegitimate son Henry, Duke of Richmond, to live in it as Lieutenant-General of the North in 1530. The castle later declined and was in ruins by the reign of Charles I.